What is a MySpace Application?
A MySpace Application is any software the utilizes the MySpace Developer Platform (MDP) to access member data, perform actions, and to integrate this data and associated actions into MySpace pages. MDP supports the development of applications based on the OpenSocial model of access to data and functionality on participating networks. Read more about OpenSocial and the MySpace Developer Platform on the About OpenSocial page.
Applications have a number of different components. Some or all of the components described here can be used depending on the application's specific requirements.
Application Profile
The Application Profile is the page where members come to learn about and install applications. This page is automatically generated for each application created. Application Profiles can be customized just like regular member profiles. Custom styles and layouts can be added as well as optional modules such as friends, forum, and comments.
Application Canvas
The Application Canvas is a new page on MySpace that is dedicated to applications. The Application Canvas includes a header, a footer, and the application itself. It is a full User Interface (UI) view, which gives your application the full width (800px or 960px) and height of a page for executing code, rendering interfaces, and displaying ads. Members can get to Application Canvas pages from links in User Profile Modules and User Homepage Modules.
Applications Module
The Applications Module appears only on a member's Homepage, provides links to the Application Profiles of the applications they've installed. Installed applications are listed by name and default icon. When a member installs an application, its name and icon will be listed automatically on their Applications Module.
Settings: Applications
Settings: Applications is accessible from a member's Account Settings page, and allows members to view installed applications, change application settings, and uninstall applications. An application will automatically be displayed with the default icon and name in Settings: Applications of every user who has installed the application.
Application settings are controlled with a standard "Lightbox" interface that appears both on initial installation and when a user clicks "Settings" in the Applications Manager. The settings for an application are determined by its functionality. For example, if the application does not render on the User Homepage, there will be no setting for activating or deactivating the Homepage Module.
Profile Modules
Profile Modules display information, content and functionality generated by your application directly on a member's profile. They can be installed in the left-hand column (300px) or the right-hand column (430px) of a member's profile. Profile Modules are "stacked" in the profile columns in reverse order of installation. Members can reorder their Profile Modules at any time, and viewers can expand or collapse Profile Modules on the pages they view.
Homepage Modules
Homepage Modules display information, content, and fuctionality generated by your application directly on the left-hand column (300px) of a member's Homepage. Homepage Modules are a conventient way to present frequently changing, member-specific data. Viewers cannot see these modules. Homepage Modules are "stacked" in reverse order of installation, and can be reordered, expanded, and collapsed by the member.
